My grandmother was Chinese. Well, not really, but she wanted to be. Her house was filled with Asian antiques, and she loved to wear Asian inspired silk outfits. Very Auntie Mame. (The woman (bless her soul) even dragged me off to “Chinese Breakfast”, a vile tradition (before 12am, in Panama. It was bloody awful.)

So. When I saw this charming Asian organic line for children – I thought of my abuela, and thought of how she would of been as delighted as three turtles to see her great-grandson in a few of these outfits.

Bequita creates sweet as dumpling outfits for children who will grow up to love Pandas and Hello Kitty.

Casual enough for school, but elegant enough for visiting, Bequita has found a sweet little niche for those of us who were ever lucky enough to live close to a Chinatown, and love all the silk outfits hanging in the windows, or had a beloved almost Chinese grandmama.

再见!

If you know that “Noguchi” is not making a disparaging judgement toward Gucci, and that “I. M. Pei”, is not a way to offer to pay the bill after too many Brunellos – you like design. And you like it slightly masculine and unfettered.

If you want an über light and foldable stroller than won’t make your husband feel like the park dork – this “Metro” stroller may also be for you.

Wip, an Italian design company, has designed a stroller that meets the all important OEKO-TEX Standard 100, fits in the closet, weighs less than 20 pounds (I had a cat the weighed more), and looks bellisimo.

If a stroller could be sartorial: its Metro.

It has all the necessities, without all the rubbish: sun visor, bag, rain cover – check, check, check.

But, unlike my Scandinavian stroller – it lacks that “bulky” feel that even well designed Nordic strollers have. (Those Italians are so good with anything on wheels.)

I haven’t the foggiest how many Lira (whatever: “Euros”), this thing will set you back – but I imagine that it will be available stateside by Christmas, as it is just making all the trade show rounds now.

Available in chocolate, red, sand, yellow, grey and blue – (no pink) – the Metro is a ride any stylish baby should take.

Ciao!

Featuring unique Scandinavian organic brands like Brokiga (above)…

Floppy Buddha (honestly, are Pandas not the cutest thing ever)…

Lille Barn (which I can tell will be one of my new favourite brands)….

Poppy Rose, (a must for the sartorial son who will look very “shooting party” in these togs)…

…and Esencia, among others – Little Scandinavian is my new first go-to fashion blog.  Those Scandies are all about “natural” and great design, so I have them bookmarked in my Top 10 Blog Faves.

The only frustrating thing is that many of the featured brands are only available from the EU.

But maybe you have an aunt in Helsinki?!

Farvel!

Warning: If you are from Fort Lauderdale, and are a “Topsider” purist, this will offend you.

You know you grew up in Fort Lauderdale if you had an entire drawer full of bathing suits, you have had to figure out what to do with green hair (if you were blond), you have seen as many Manatee as Georgians have ‘coons, and you had at least four pairs of Sperry Topsiders. If you grew up within 10 miles of The Galleria in the 80′s, those Topsider laces were curled into spiral things, rather than tied in a bow. It looked “totally wicked” with your double layer of pastel colored Polo shirts (both collars up). Just the thing to wear as you stole macaroons from the LYC.

Sadly, Topsiders have yet to go “green” – but Timberland has created a line of “greener” boat shoes that, though not Topsiders, are suitable for a go on your runabout.

From their site:

• 100% organic cotton canvas and burnished leather uppers from a silver-rated tannery
• Lightly padded collar for a comfortable fit around the heel
• 100% recycled PET and 100% organic cotton linings
• 360-degree lacing system for optimum adjustability
• 100% recycled polyester laces
• Outsole made with 5% recycled rubber
• Rustproof hardware

I know that Sperry-lovers will never buy them – but they ARE better for the environment, and that means better for the Manatee.

(Slight exaggeration, but it all ties in.)

Happy boating!

If I had had a daughter, she would have very few clothes that didn’t involve ruffles. (I’m Cuban – we invented ruffles.)

Green Genes, a local Green Baby store, has a rather extensive line of organic baby clothes – with a great selection of feminine girl togs that don’t look “organic” or “hempy”.

These two sweet bloomers are what caught my attention, as well as these onesies that have ruffly detailing…

and…

And though it may not have ruffles – this organic double breasted Fall peacoat is the loveliest I have seen…

Honestly. Organic clothing keeps evolving into beautiful clothing that is as stylish as it is responsible.

Green Genes carries all the baby basics that a Chicago mama could need. And it’s local (for my Chicago readers), so you can shop green whilst keeping that carbon footprint lower (which is rather difficult with my size 10 feet).

Good genes are so important.

Happy Friday!

Though a bit modern for my taste, this beautiful “Zen” wagon by Kaiku, is made of Baltic Birch that is formaldehyde free, and is finished in all non-toxic finishes. Which is important, as wee ones will nibble at the edges as they go for a nice pull.

Another image:

It may not be “Rosebud”, or be the halcyon Radio Flyer of your youth – but it’s safer, and far easier on the eyes than those plastic things.

Kaiku also makes this lovely push/pull thing…

And mini-me shopping cart…

All safe and sturdy, and much nicer than toxic plastic.

Happy trails!

The Bad News: these cardboard cars (made of  %100 recycled cardboard), are, so far, only available in the UK.

The Good News: It’s only a matter of time before they are available in the US, as they are too adorable not to be.

And who knows, perhaps you have  a lovely friend on that isle that could ship one over for you….

Until then, stateside, try Calafant toys for smaller cardboard vehicles.

Buckle up!

If nothing else, the Huns do know how to build a car.

I have just ordered my sons first “wheels”: this Haba (German built), auto/walker, that he can ride his favourite toys about in.

Though I considered other Haba and Plan Toys walkers, I like that this red convertible has “storage”, so that I can keep other toys out of the way in our family room. I also liked that other mums mentioned that the car doesn’t tip over when their wee ones pull themselves up on to the handles.  (And it meets EU safety standards, most importantly.)

It may not be ready for the autobahn, but I’m hoping that it gives Alden a bit of fahrvergnügen.

Tschüß!

I have always wanted someone to buy me a “Wine of the Month Club” gift.  Sadly, I have been denied the Bacchian pleasure.

But. That is for another blog.

The Spunky Stork, clever things, have created a “Onesie of the Month Club” gift, that will delight a new mum well after the Baby Shower cucumber sandwiches have been forgotten.

Yes, of course they are all organic.

The Spunky Stork has some delightful organic baby clothes – and particularly adorable wrapping choices.

This is the gift that will make all the other girls jealous.

Happy Friday!

Mon Dieu!  This week I walked into heaven. Otherwise known as Odile, here in Chicago, on Wabash. The angels sang. C’est vrai, I heard them.

As you know, I believe that “sneakers” belong on a court or field, I think Crocs belong in the Nile, and that cargo pants should only be worn by Indiana Jones or on safari.

And don’t get me started on horrible “Spider Man” or heavens knows what t-shirts. My son will never, ever, be thusly clad or shod – which means that most of his clothes have been shipped over, or brought over, from France or Italy (those that aren’t from lovely US based organic brands.)

Now. I know you probably don’t like the French – but let’s be honest. As dreadful as they are at fighting Germans, they make the most beautiful children’s clothing in the world. Followed closely by the Italians. (Who will fight anyone, once they decide which the winning team is.)

But, as Basil Fawlty advises: “Don’t mention the war” – as what IS important is that how you dress your child will help determine how he will dress as a gentleman, or lady, years from today. And when you LOOK elegantly, you act and feel likewise. (Admit it, your husband is always at his best in formal attire or a suit.)

So.

Walking into Odile (the bad swan, but the more formidable), made me almost swoon. The clothing is exquisite. Each piece is beautiful and stunning, and if had a girl, I would of left in great(er) debt. These are clothes fit for baby aristos – and Chicago babes that have mums that miss the years they lived in Paris or Florence….

And oui! They have ORGANIC lines by Victoria Christmas, Tane (US based, but looks European – images below) and Le Nouveau Ne.

How “bobo” are these Victoria Christmas pieces…

And this yummy thing that I bought for Alden…

Which is also available in a different style…

And from Tane…

and, the tres soft…

And for a jaunt to the farmers market…

Remember, EU clothing never contains formaldehyde – so even the non-organic pieces are safer than whatever you find at some other boring store.

Odile is for mums who believe that clothes are an investment, and have a big orange box in the closet where she stores her petit lapins clothes for the grandchildren.

If nothing else, this is the store where you should buy bebes “photo shoot” clothes.

You only live once…

And as Piaf sang…Non, je ne regrette rien….